HERBS AND SMALL SALADS. 



141 



Sorrel {E"mex scutaius and Rumex Acetosa). 

 Frencli, OsviUc ; German, Saueramjjfer ; Italian, 

 Acetosa. — We find here a generally growTi and well- 

 known plant ; the normal form of one, the latter 

 species named above, being a very common weed in 

 British pasture-lands. The former is a native of 

 Southern Europe. G-reatly improved varieties of 

 both are in general cultivation. The Riunex scutatus 

 requires a deep rich soil to develop its characteris- 

 tics of large leaves, &c., thoroughly. The latter or 

 British species wiU thrive in any soil, though a moist 

 and moderately enriched one always gives the largest 

 and most succulent leaves. These last are used for 

 salads, and variously besides. They are propagated 

 both by means of seeds and 

 division of the old plants. 

 The latter is most com- 

 monly resorted to, though 

 fine plants are produced 

 as seedlings. Seeds when 

 sown should be placed 

 thinly in shallow drill- 

 rows six inches apart, and 

 the seedling plants thinned 

 out to equal distances when 

 large enough. The former, 

 or round - leaved species, 

 having more repent roots, 

 and as it spreads more, 

 should have rather more 

 room in deep, rich, mellow 

 soil. When propagation 

 takes place by root-division, 

 do not cut them up into too 

 small pieces ; X5rej)are the 



bed deeply and well by abundant manuring; plant 

 twelve inches apart. During the whole of the 

 summer months all flower-stalks should be cut away 

 immediately they appear, and when the gTOwing 

 leaves are not cut for use with moderate regularity, 

 it is needful to cut them down just the same, when 

 they become somewhat aged, to insui-e successions 

 of young leaves. 



Thyme. 



planted and subsequently had time to perfect their 

 growth. 



Under border culture the plant succeeds best in a 

 light sandy soil, partly exposed to sunshine. It is 

 increased by seed-sowing, by slips or side-shoots, 

 having a few roots attached, and by diiision of 

 the plants. When seeds are the medium employed, 

 they should be sown broadcast upon such a soil as 

 ad\ised above, during the first week in the month 

 of April. So soon as the young plants are large 

 enough, thin them out to about four inches apart, 

 and dibble such seedling plants as are ch^awn out 

 from the bed, also in beds, or rows, to thi^ee- 

 inch distances apart. If this operation of trans- 

 planting be performed late 

 in June or in July, it will 

 be necessary to thoroughly 

 well water the yoimg plants, 

 in. 



When the plant is pro- 

 pagated by means of side- 

 shoots or slips, choose always 

 young shoots, as short and. 

 bushy as possible, which are 

 generally to be found near 

 the centre of the j)lants. 

 This is best done during the 

 early part of the month of 

 April. Dibble them out 

 firmly four inches apart, 

 and well water them in also. 

 Divisions of the old "stools'* 

 or plants, cut or pulled into 

 about four parts, make the 

 best or quickest plantations. 

 It is desirable, however, in resorting to this method, to 

 choose a new site for the bed, not to continue taking: 

 up and re-i^lanting on the same spot perpetually. 



In low damp situations, and where the ground is 

 naturally heavy and tenacious, it is desirable to place 

 a goodly quantity of old lime rubbish over the 

 surface of the bed, and to dig it in deeply before 

 planting it. 



Thyme {Thymus vulgaris). French, Thym ; 

 Geraian, Thimian ; Italian, Timo. — The garden or 

 common Thyme, introduced originally from Spain or 

 Italy, has in many places become a self-sown native 

 plant. As such it is of easy growth, ha\-ing as it 

 would appear, judging from the places chosen by 

 wilding seedling plants whereon to gTown, a pre- 

 dilection for dry places, even to the tops of stone 

 or brick walls, kc. Nevertheless, it is not always 

 found growing in any gxeat luxuriance in gardens. 

 The fact is, existing stocks are too often allowed 

 to grow or run out, before young plants have been 



Thyme, Lemon {Thymus citriodorus) is a dis- 

 tinct sj)ecies from the above ; the leaves are larger, 

 and the plant more spreading. It is desirable to 

 treat it precisely as advised for the above. 



Thyme should not be permitted to flower. Im- 

 mediately this is perceptible, cut the plants down ; 

 the result will be that numerous young shoots will 

 form and the plants become more bushy towards 

 autumzL. A little rich soil sprinkled amongst the 

 branches of all large plants assists growth greatly. 

 The large-leaved variety of the common Thyme is 

 best. 



